3.3.7 Mental health support for staff
3.3.7 Mental health support for staff
Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) is committed to promoting and supporting the mental health of both academic and professional staff. The University incorporates staff well-being into its Human Resource Master Plan and provides health-related welfare provisions, access to psychological counselling networks, and proactive mental health promotion activities. These measures aim to support physical and psychological well-being, stress management, adjustment to workplace challenges, and a supportive working environment.
1. Staff Well-being in the Human Resource Master Plan
The Srinakharinwirot University Five-Year Human Resource Master Plan (2023–2027) identifies staff well-being under Strategic Initiative SI4.4, “Well-being Issue”, within the strategic area of staff engagement. The plan calls for a systematic approach encompassing physical and mental health, working well-being, relationship well-being, and financial well-being.
It also emphasizes line-management well-being by developing systems and channels through which supervisors and managers can listen to staff concerns, provide guidance, and direct staff to appropriate support services. The framework recognizes that family, economic, and social circumstances may influence staff well-being. The University is continuing to develop a comprehensive approach to staff well-being and quality of working life.
Supporting evidence: https://hr.op.swu.ac.th/Portals/18/documents/E-book/แผนแม่บท66-70.pdf
2. Health and Well-being Welfare, Including Mental Health
The University provides healthcare welfare arrangements for university employees to support access to health services and reduce eligible treatment costs. The Srinakharinwirot University Announcement on Criteria and Procedures for Employee Welfare, B.E. 2568 (2025), establishes rules for medical expense reimbursement.
The source document identifies mental health-related care within the broader welfare arrangements, subject to the University’s regulations and eligible expense categories. Accordingly, reimbursement should not be interpreted as unrestricted or universally free mental healthcare. These provisions complement the physical and mental well-being priorities of the Human Resource Master Plan.
Supporting evidence: https://edocument.swu.ac.th/Officialdom/4/pdf/145018148202548.pdf
3. Access to Psychological Counselling and Mental Health Support
SWU supports staff access to counselling and emotional well-being services through several university-based centres. These services address concerns including stress, emotional difficulties, interpersonal relationships, adjustment, and personal or work-related challenges.
3.1 Humannice Counseling Center, Faculty of Humanities
The Faculty of Humanities offers psychological counselling through the Humannice Counseling Center, providing a private and supportive environment for discussing personal and workplace concerns. Face-to-face counselling is provided by master’s-level counselling psychology trainees from the Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, at the Humanities and the Mind room and the Humannice Counseling Center, Prasarnmit campus.
3.2 W.E.L.L. Center, Faculty of Education
The W.E.L.L. Center, under the Department of Guidance and Educational Psychology, supports staff in managing emotional concerns, stress, relationships, and adjustment. Services include face-to-face and online counselling delivered by a team of faculty members and doctoral students. The centre is located on the fourth floor of the Faculty of Education.
3.3 Feel Good Room, Behavioral Science Research Institute
The Behavioral Science Research Institute provides the Feel Good Room as a supportive setting for staff to discuss concerns, explore their feelings, and consider ways of coping with situations affecting mental well-being. The facility is located on the first floor of the Institute.
Together, these centres provide multiple pathways to psychological support. The source document describes counselling access as free of charge; however, centre-specific evidence confirming staff eligibility, free access, and operating arrangements in 2025 should be attached before submission.
Supporting evidence: https://swusmile.swu.ac.th/center | http://gep.edu.swu.ac.th/en-us/WELL-Center | https://www.facebook.com/W.E.L.L.Center.SWU | https://bsri.swu.ac.th/activities/15714/2024/
4. Proactive Mental Health Promotion for Staff
4.1 Staff Mental Health Promotion Activities, Faculty of Physical Therapy
On 15–16 July 2025, the Faculty of Physical Therapy organized mental health promotion activities for staff, including learning and practice in stress management, mindfulness, coping with anxiety, and creative relaxation activities such as flower arranging. The activities aimed to increase awareness of mental health and encourage staff to apply stress-management strategies in their everyday lives and work.
Supporting evidence: https://physicaltherapy.swu.ac.th/index.php/article/3687?language=en
4.2 Work–Life Balance and Sustainable Staff Quality of Life
On 9 July 2025, the Division of Social Engagement, Office of the President, in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), organized a Dhamma lecture entitled “Work–Life Balance and the Sustainable Improvement of Quality of Life for Srinakharinwirot University Staff”, under the theme “Relieving Work-Related Distress through Dhamma”. The lecture was delivered by Phra Suthiwachirapatiphan (Weeraphon Weerayano), Assistant Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, at the Asok Montri Music and Performing Arts Hall, fourth floor, Professor Dr. Saroj Buasri Innovation Building, Prasarnmit campus.
The activity promoted awareness of work-related stress, emotional well-being, and maintaining balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.
Supporting evidence: https://sso.op.swu.ac.th/event-news/กิจกรรมปาฐกถาธรรม-work-life-balance-กับการพัฒนาคุณภาพชีวิตบุคลากรมหาวิทยาลัยศรีนครินทรวิโรฒ-อย่างยั่งยืน
Active Promotion of Good Mental Health among Staff
Srinakharinwirot University demonstrates the active promotion of good mental health among academic and professional staff through institutional well-being policies, counselling support, and proactive activities. In 2025, the Faculty of Physical Therapy organised activities focusing on stress management, mindfulness, coping with anxiety, and creative relaxation. The University also organised a Work–Life Balance lecture with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation to raise awareness of work-related stress and emotional well-being.
Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Through its Human Resource Master Plan, healthcare welfare provisions, psychological counselling network, and the active promotion of good mental health, Srinakharinwirot University demonstrates its commitment to THE Indicator 3.3.7: Mental Health Support for Staff.
In 2025, the University implemented proactive activities focusing on stress management, mindfulness, emotional well-being, and work–life balance. These were complemented by university-based counselling centres, including the Humannice Counseling Center, W.E.L.L. Center, and Feel Good Room, providing pathways to psychological support for staff.
Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the University's commitment to the active promotion of good mental health, strengthen awareness and staff well-being, and foster a healthier working environment in alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.